Speed dependent service availability in a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method for operating multimedia and/or telematics services and associated user interfaces in a motor vehicle, featuring speed-dependent control of the selection of the services and of the representation of the services at the user interfaces. A speedometer-coupled service management unit controls automatic adaptation of the representation and use of the services in a manner adapted to the instantaneous speed of the motor vehicle. This reduces stress on the driver, the risk of accident, and increases convenience.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method for operating services, inparticular multimedia and/or telematics services, in a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the following, “services” will be understood to refer to functionsand activities which can be invoked locally within a vehicle or alsooutside the vehicle via a network. The invocation is done byvehicle-borne applications which intend to use the correspondingfunctions and activities.

In modern motor vehicles, services of the type mentioned at the outsetare operated using numerous input control elements as well as a displayand loudspeakers as output units. Among the services are localapplications or network-bound applications with suitable datatransmission. Examples of applications with data transmission to bementioned include the following services: mobile Internet access, mobiledata transmission, push services, context-based services, softwaredownload.

Examples of applications running locally, independently of networks,include: navigation, audio and video applications, games, applicationsfor convenience settings, etc.

In the context of the present invention, “user interfaces” are taken toinclude all user input and output units for the service in question.

The introduction of high-rate, wireless communication methods, such asGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) andBluetooth (BT), has made new multimedia services attractive forprovision in a motor vehicle. In this connection, the available qualityof service (QoS) and data rate of the radio methods mentioned dependsubstantially on the instantaneous speed of the mobile station (mobileterminal). Thus, for example, the data transfer rate of UMTS in theindoor environment at optimum conditions is less than 2 MBit/s, while inthe outdoor environment at speeds above 120 km/h, it is less than 384kBit/s.

Also important here is the particular available network infrastructure,such as the number and arrangement of mobile radio stations.

However, at higher vehicle speeds, marked limitations in the quality anddata transfer rate may occur, so that it is no longer useful to providecertain services. In addition, the higher the speed, the more the driverof the motor vehicle has to concentrate on the traffic, and should notbe distracted by complicated control of a user interface. Thus, manualinput via a keypad at high speeds involves a high risk of accidentbecause the driver cannot react quickly enough to the sudden appearanceof dangerous situations while he/she is concentrating on the keypad.

Also, when driving at high speed, the use of a locally limitedcommunication system, such as a WLAN, can only be useful to a limitedextent because the network usage time could then be too short for theservice needed.

The related art does not disclose any satisfactory approaches toovercome these shortcomings. At best, it is known to increase the volumeof the loudspeakers of a car radio with increasing vehicle speed.However, this is insufficient because the driver is still inundated inan uncontrolled manner with too much information and too difficult waysof input for controlling his/her services, which causes dangerousdistraction, especially at high speeds, and results in that manypossibilities that can potentially increase the convenience remainunused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, this provision includes especially the speed-dependentselection of services from an existing portfolio of services, and thespeed-adjusted representation of said services on the output medium, aswell as speed-dependent selection of the input and/or output medium, andthe adaptation of these media according to speed.

An automatic control increases convenience, reduces stress on thedriver, and thus reduces, inter alia, the risk of accident.

An advantageous feature of the inventive measures is the automatic,vehicle-speed dependent selection of a service from the portfolio ofmultimedia and/or telematics services currently available in thevehicle. This allows services which are not useful or necessary for theparticular speed to be suppressed, which right away keeps the driverfrom selecting such a service, thereby reducing stress on the driver.Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the playback of a videoon a screen that the driver can see, for example, is prevented at aspeed of 160 km/h.

A further advantageous feature of the inventive control is the selectionand/or adaptation of an input medium or an output medium. Thus, forexample, at higher speeds, the user interface control can allow onlyvoice commands. Similarly, visual outputs can be simplified or replacedwith audibly perceptible outputs at higher speeds. This reduces stresson the driver and, consequently, the risk of accident.

At higher speeds, for example, the information content of a servicemessage can be limited to the most important information, longer pausesbetween individual messages in message broadcasts, and the form ofrepresentation can be adapted to be quickly comprehensible. Distractionof the driver is thereby minimized, thus reducing the risk of accident.The display of colors, graphics and texts, and the arrangement ofelements can also be accomplished as a function of the speed.

Moreover, the following inventive measures can be carried out as afunction of the speed:

a) changing the character display size on the output medium as long asit makes sense so as not to display too many line breaks;

b) replacing text with graphical information, that is, images or easilycomprehensible, preferably internationally used symbols;

c) changing the display color on the output medium with increasingspeed, for example, from green via blue to red;

d) prioritizing certain services over other services, for instance,traffic messages over video playback; or

e) controlled selection of advertisements as a function of the speed,for instance, advertisements for luxury goods for fast drivers, etc.

An additional improvement of the present invention is a speed-dependentrestriction of the use of communication systems which are only locallyavailable in a useful manner, which prevents selection of acommunication system which is useless at the particular speed.

In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, theinventive control is dependent not only on the speed, but also on thelocation and/or context of the motor vehicle.

Thus, for instance, within a city, it can be appropriate to suppress toodistractive services already at relatively low speeds because of thehigh volume of traffic occurring there. Also, it may then already beuseful to perform an adaptation to simple display representation andsimplified control of the user interface. In rental vehicles, therepresentation can be performed depending on the country in which thevehicle is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sketch of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive system.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive method.

FIG. 3 shows a sketch of the use of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention in a motor vehicle environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Figures, like reference numerals designate like or functionallyidentical components.

FIG. 1 is a sketch of an exemplary embodiment of the present inventivesystem. A motor vehicle is provided with a driver information systemwhich is capable of services available to the driver and any passengerspresent via suitable user interfaces for input, namely a key-based unit18 and a microphone 19, and for output, namely a display 16 and aloudspeaker 17.

A service 14 A (such as GSM, WLAN, etc.) which can be received via aradio network is symbolically shown connected via suitable interfaces onthe part of a control logic 10 provided in accordance with the presentinvention. A network-independent service 14 B, such as a video player,CD or DVD player, is also connected to control logic 10 via suitableinterfaces.

Within the framework of the inventive speed-dependent provision ofservices, this control logic 10, here referred to as service managementunit, can preferably perform two substantially independent processes:

On the one hand, unit 10 controls the speed-dependent adjustment of theabove-mentioned user interfaces 16, 17, 18, 19 in the motor vehicle.

On the other hand, it makes a selection between different services orprioritizes certain services over other services as a function of thespeed and according to predefined criteria.

Furthermore, service management unit 10 can communicate with a serviceindependently of an input or output, and make a different,(speed-)specific adjustment: For example, it can request up-to-datetraffic information for navigation in fast succession when the speed isincreased.

Service management unit 10 is connected to speedometer 12 of the motorvehicle to determine the instantaneous vehicle speed. In accordance withthe present invention, user interfaces 16, 17, 18, 19 belonging to theparticular services requested are then specifically adjusted for saidservices depending on the magnitude of the speed. The control ofservices 14 A, B with regard to their selection, as well as the controlof the data flow, such as the frequency of requests, or other importantparameters for the provision and selection of the services, are alsocarried out as a function of the speed.

In this context, management unit 10 decides, primarily as a function ofthe speed, which data and information to display in which way. Ifnecessary, a new speed- or context-adapted representation is selected inthe process. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, controllogic 10 is used to set parameters that determine which information isprovided and displayed to the driver at what time and in which way. Thisis preferably implemented in a program-controlled manner. For thispurpose, central control logic 10 has suitable interfaces to theindividual devices, as for example additional connected systems, such asa mobile telephone, a navigation system, a possibly existing universalvehicle server, a video player, etc.

Another special feature is that the display of the service on screen 16is adapted to the vehicle speed. Thus, for rapid comprehension ofinformation, for example at high speeds, the character size can beincreased, and the number of elements displayed can be reduced orvaried, or, in a navigation service, arrows can be displayed in place ofthe map. Another option according to the present invention is tofundamentally change the layout on screen 16, or to replace the displayrepresentation with an audible representation, namely a correspondingmessage.

Moreover, it is advantageously possible to carry out an adaptation ofinput medium 18, 19 in a manner controlled by the speed, for example asfollows: Control elements, in particular keys, can be assigned differentfunctions according to the well-known softkey principle; functions ofgreater importance being prioritized over those of less importance. Inthis connection, the issue of the importance of certain functionsdepends on the service selected.

Furthermore, predetermined functions of associated control elements canbe suppressed to simplify input and to help avoid erroneous inputs.

For this purpose, it is also possible to block predetermined keys in anaudibly, visually, or tactilely perceptible manner; the perception beingaided by a psychologically well-selected feedback, for example, by asuitably preselected, negatively-sounding beep when pressing anunimportant key, or by a corresponding visual signal, for example, bybriefly blinking the display twice in a “denial color”, such as red, inresponse to and giving the impression of a denial, or by lighting up thedisplay once for a slightly longer period of time in a “confirmationcolor”, such as green, giving the impression of confirmation.

Moreover, it is possible to change the sensitivity or directionalcharacteristics of microphone 19 to allow good resolution of theacoustic signal from the voice of the driver, for example, at a higherspeed and a consequently louder noise level.

Furthermore, service management unit 10 can be connected to externalterminal devices, such as a mobile telephone unit. In this instance,control unit 10 controls the user input setting as a function of thevehicle speed. One setting would be, for example, that while the vehicleis moving, the mobile telephone unit can only be controlled by voiceinput. This helps to increase safety during driving because of lessdistraction of the driver.

In FIG. 2, a control sequence is shown in a flow chart for an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive method. The description alsoincludes elements from FIG. 1.

In a preliminary step 90, it is determined whether the inventive systemis activated, that is, whether it is allowed to intervene in the controlof the user interfaces and services. When in an ON-position, the systemis activated accordingly. However, it can also be deactivated by the OFFposition of a suitable switch, so that a front-seat or other passengercan control the system including all interfaces, and the driver canconcentrate entirely on driving. In FIG. 2, only the activated state isshown.

Service data, for example, of a navigation service, which are wirelesslytransmitted from outside are received in the motor vehicle, step 100.After a request 110 for the received service by the driver (or in casethe driver is already using the service), the speed of the vehicle isdetermined in step 120. Then, depending on the determined vehicle speed,it is first determined in a step 125 whether or not a selection orprioritization of services should be carried out. If YES, the selectionis made, and the particular, speed-adapted service is selected, forexample GSM in place of WLAN for speeds above 130 km/h. In the case ofNO, the currently proposed service is used.

Thus, in step 125, a selection or prioritization of services is carriedout as a function of the speed. The selected services are included intothe portfolio of services and are available for output. By assigning apriority, it is possible to determine the sequence in which later outputwill be performed and in which, for example, computing power isallocated by the system to the service.

Then, in one of the optionally available variants 130 a, 130 b and 130c, the representation of the service is automatically adapted to thespeed.

The example includes three degrees for this purpose, which areexemplified for a single service. The number of setting variants is notfixed to three; rather, a smaller or greater number of setting variantsmay exist specifically for the particular service requested. Forexample, a suitable sensor system can provide a further level which isactivated when the vehicle does not move for more than 5 seconds. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, variant 130 a is automatically selected whenthe speed is below 50 km/h. In this case, the navigation service ispresented to the driver on screen 16 in the form of a map.

Variant 130 b is used in the speed range from 50 to 130 km/h. Then,representation is no longer in the form of a map, but limited to arrowsindicating turns.

Variant 130 c is selected for a vehicle speed greater than 130 km/h. Inthis case, the display of the navigation service is completelysuppressed and, optionally, it is indicated that the service iscurrently not available to the driver. Instead, there is only audibleoutput.

Depending on the type of service, other speed limits and other settingsof the particular user interface 16, 17, 18, 19 may exist. Thus, forexample, the input type setting of a mobile telephone would only be“voice” above 0 km/h, except for stationary or parked vehicles, andabove 130 km/h, input would be completely blocked.

When the setting of the user interfaces is completed and the services isor is not displayed accordingly, a wait loop of a certain duration, suchas five seconds, is entered in step 140. After that, the speed ischecked again in step 120 and, if necessary, a different setting is madeaccording to steps 125, 130 a, 130 b and 130 c. This method is thencontinued in the loop.

FIG. 3 is a sketch of the use of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention in a motor vehicle environment.

A motor vehicle 30 equipped with an embodiment of present inventivesystem is located in the service area of two wireless communicationnetworks 26, 28. The use of the one network 26 is not locally limited.The network in question may be a UMTS or GSM network. In contrast, theother communication network 28 is locally limited within narrow bounds,such as a WLAN. Both communication networks 26, 28 communicate with theInternet 20, to which a service provider 22 is connected, for example, aservice provider for software download. In contrast, another softwaredownload service 24 of better quality can only be reached via thelocally limited WLAN 28. However, above a certain speed of motor vehicle30, such as 30 km/h, it is no longer useful to attempt connection viaWLAN 28, because the dwell time within the available coverage area ofthe base station is too short. Consequently, the use of an existing WLAN28 is advantageous for lower speeds and standing vehicles. A mobileradio network 26 can be used especially when WLAN 28 is not available,or when the speed is too high. The embodiment of the present inventivesystem makes the proper selection automatically. The content transmittedby the selected service provider 22, 24 is then displayed to the driveron screen 16.

The present invention can also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which includes all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which—when loaded in a computer systemin the motor vehicle and fed with current data—is able to carry outthese methods.

The present invention also provides for a service management controllogic in the form of a programmed interface module, which contains thebus interfaces of the individual (multimedia) devices and includes thecontrol line to the speedometer or another device for measuring thevehicle speed. This also allows integration of individual,non-integrated systems into the speed-dependent control. Thus, a controlwithout an integrated driver information system is possible as well. Theterminal devices are preferably controlled via standard interfaces.These can be, for example, bus systems (such as CAN, MOST, IEEE 1394) ordirect cable connections if no bus connection exists.

In the present context, computer program products or computer programsare understood to mean any expression, in any language, code ornotation, of a set of instructions whose purpose is to cause a systemcapable of processing information to carry out, either directly orsuccessively, one particular or both of the following tasks:

conversion into a different language or notation, or into a differentcode,

reproduction into a different material form.

Although the present invention has been described above with referenceto a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is not limited thereto but canbe modified in many ways.

Thus, for example, the illumination intensity of the display fordisplaying the service can also be controlled via the service managementelement as a function of the speed.

1.-13. (canceled)
 14. A method for operating multimedia and/ortelematics services in a motor vehicle, comprising: providing theservices in a speed-dependent manner.
 15. The method as recited in claim14, wherein: the providing of the services includes at least one of acontrol of a selection of the services and a representation of theservices on a user interface present in the motor vehicle.
 16. Themethod as recited in claim 14, wherein the selection of the servicesincludes a prioritization of predetermined services over other servicesthat are also available.
 17. The method as recited in claim 14, furthercomprising: performing a speed-dependent selection of an input mediumfor an operator control of the services.
 18. The method as recited inclaim 14, further comprising: performing a speed-dependent selection ofan output medium for a representation of the services.
 19. The method asrecited in claim 14, further comprising: performing a speed-dependentadaptation of at least one of an input medium and an output medium. 20.The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising: performing acontrol involving a selection of a suitable form of representation ofcontents provided by the particular service on an output medium.
 21. Themethod as recited in claim 14, further comprising: adapting an outputmedium in a manner controlled by a speed by performing at least one ofthe following: a) changing a character display size on the outputmedium, b) replacing text with graphical information, c) changing adisplay color on the output medium, and d) providing a controlledselection of advertisements as a function of the speed.
 22. The methodas recited in claim 19, further comprising: performing one of thefollowing for adapting an input medium in a manner controlled by aspeed: a) assigning control elements, including keys, differentfunctions, in which functions of greater importance being prioritizedover those of less importance, b) suppressing predetermined functions ofpredefined associated control elements, c) blocking keys in one of anaudibly perceptible manner, a visually perceptible manner, and atactilely perceptible manner, and d) changing one of a sensitivitycharacteristic of a microphone and a directional characteristic of themicrophone.
 23. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising:selecting a transmission medium for communication and settingcorresponding service parameters as a function of a speed.
 24. Themethod as recited in claim 14, further comprising: performing a controlin at least one of a location-dependent manner and a context-dependentmanner.
 25. A vehicle information system for operating servicesincluding at least one of multimedia services and telematics servicesand associated user interfaces in a motor vehicle, comprising: a servicemanagement unit connectable to: a) a device for one of measuring anddisplaying an instantaneous vehicle speed, and b) a user interface forproviding the services in a speed-dependent manner.
 26. A servicemanagement unit for use in an operation of multimedia and/or telematicsservices and associated user interfaces, in a motor vehicle, comprising:a control unit for analyzing information on a vehicle speed and beingconfigured to providing the services in a speed-dependent manner.